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F H Spracklen

Publications and source records attributed to F H Spracklen.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

The chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis)--myth or mystery?

The chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis has caused great confusion, misunderstanding and perhaps even mismanagement of many persons presenting with a variety of combinations of ill-defined complaints. The history, possible pathogenesis and clinical features, of what is probably in most instances a post-viral infection syndrome, are reviewed. The recent Centers for Disease Control case definition is summarised and simplified. The need for such uniformity of definition, acceptable to most workers in the field, is emphasised in order to facilitate further studies into the cause, diagnosis, course and treatment of CFS. The difficulty in treating this condition and the currently recommended management are described. Double-blind controlled studies are essential in assessing any proposed new treatment.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1987

Double valve disease in systemic lupus erythematosus. Case report and literature review.

A young, nonhypertensive female with advanced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented in congestive cardiac failure due to aortic and mitral regurgitation. The valvular lesions resulted from organization of valvular pocket Libman-Sacks vegetations. Her clinical course mimicked infective endocarditis. She is only the third recorded patient with SLE valvular disease warranting double valve replacement. This patient, who had her valvular disease at presentation (prior to initiation of steroid therapy), illustrates that untreated SLE per se may produce severe organic valvular disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

The acquired immune deficiency syndrome and related complex. A report of 2 confirmed cases in Cape Town with comments on human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III infections.

We report a case of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and one of AIDS-related complex presenting in Cape Town. The first patient was probably infected in the USA. In turn he infected the second patient by regular homosexual contact. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) was cultured, we believe for the first time in Africa, from the peripheral blood lymphocytes and a lymph node of our patient with AIDS. HTLV-III infection and high-risk groups in South Africa are discussed in comparison with those in the USA. It is suggested that HTLV-III infection and AIDS will increasingly affect women. Prevention of the spread of HTLV-III infection and AIDS is discussed in relation to close medical surveillance and the protection of blood and blood products from contamination. Counselling of patients with AIDS and persons infected with HTLV-III, general health education, and the protection of health care staff are important in preventing spread but beyond the scope of this article.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Isolation of a lymphadenopathy-associated virus from a patient with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

A virus similar to the lymphadenopathy-associated virus or human T-lymphotropic virus type III, which has been described in association with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) by several laboratories elsewhere in the world, was isolated from a Cape Town patient with lymphadenopathy and acquired immune deficiency. This virus has the characteristic morphogenesis and ultrastructure and its genome encodes the virus-specific p24 protein. It is T-lymphotropic and produces the characteristic cytopathic effect. It can be serially propagated in a human lymphocyte line of the T4+ phenotype. This isolate is being used in diagnostic immunofluorescence assays for virus-specific antibodies.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1979

Incidence of heart disease in pregnancy. A study done at Peninsula Maternity Services hospitals.

A detailed retrospective analysis was made of the records of 697 women with heart disease who were delivered between 1972 and 1976 and who accounted for 0.83% of all deliveries during this time. Rheumatic heart disease accounted for 65%, congenital lesions for 14% patients who had had cardiac surgery 12%, and miscellaneous heart conditions for 10% of cardiac lesions. The maternal mortality rate in these women was 7,17/1,000 deliveries, compared with 0.46/1,000 deliveries during this time. Cardiac disease was found to be the most important non-obstetric cause of maternal death. The perinatal mortality rate was not significantly higher than that in the total population. The high incidence of cardiac disease in pregnancy is unlikely to be significantly reduced until effective contraception is more widely practised in our community.

Female↗
PubMed1970

Value of diazepam ('Valium') in treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

Diazepam did not alter the rate or rhythm in III patients with atrial fibrillation. In 3 out of 38 patients with atrial flutter the use of diazepam was followed by an increase in atrioventricular block. Diazepam restored sinus rhythm in I patient with atrial tachycardia (total 7 patients) and in I patient with ventricular tachycardia (total 8 patients). Experimentally in the dog diazepam raised the electrically-induced ventricular tachycardia threshold significantly. Pretreatment with diazepam did not alter significantly the dose of strophanthidin K required to induce ventricular tachycardia in the dog. The value of diazepam as a cardiac anti-arrhythmic agent should be further assessed in a controlled clinical trial, especially in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Aged↗